“I still have a lot to offer the industry, and am keen to broaden my horizons and take on additional challenges.”
These were the words of Brightside Group executive chairman and CEO Mark Cliff when it was revealed that he was going to give way to a new chief executive at the insurance broker while opening himself up to other non-executive roles across the sector. In an announcement, the Bristol-based firm said Cliff will become its non-executive chair.
The industry veteran – who has worked at the likes of Ageas, AXA, and RSA – said it was “the right time” after three years “to step back from the coal face and bring in a new CEO to take Brightside on the next stage of its journey.” Cliff joined the broker as executive chairman in May 2015 before assuming his dual position in September of that year.
“As someone who until this role had spent most of my career on the insurer side, I am proud to be a broker,” he commented. “It remains the most exciting, dynamic, and entrepreneurial sector within our industry.
“While the past three years have posed challenges, I will be preparing to step back confident in the knowledge Brightside has transformed itself into a digital broker, in much better shape and confident about its future.”
Cliff, who will continue to run the business until his CEO successor is named, said the firm will further grow its presence and competitive position in the personal lines market.
“I am immensely proud of our achievements in revitalising a broker that had lost some of its soul,” he stated. “Our performance has been transformed, our policy count continues to grow, we have excellent relationships with our panel insurers and our business partners, and we are on plan to meet our targets for this financial year.”
The head honcho is vice president of the Chartered Insurance Institute and also serves as deputy chairman of the large broker advisory board at the British Insurance Brokers’ Association.
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